Conceptual framework:

The core notion is to listen, “through” the iconography my singing masks, to local small-scale environments, covering a range from the truly mundane (e.g. grass growing through cracks in a sidewalk) to more conventionally beautiful (e.g. spots in the Arboretum that's adjacent to where I live), and to offer a prayer to the environment with mask(s), “performing” a little sacred ceremony. I might also “sound” various of the materials that are present and make slight alterations in the arrangement of the materials according to an intuited sense of energy flows and “suggestions” from the place itself. The prayerful nature of the activity is intended to heighten a sense of connection and to contribute positive and healing energy to the world through channels that are not always obvious.

I will also develop a web page devoted to presenting various aspects of the prayer sessions. Another possibility is to produce a film version of the prayers, not just as documentary, but conceived and structured itself as a ceremonial event.

While starting out locally, my grandiose hope is to be able to visit many locations around the world, to listen, to pray, in my own small and personal way to bring peace and joy into the world, along with nurturing connection to all the intricate web of life that sustains us.

Norman Lowrey
February 29, 2004